Although American football is a team sport and therefore each position has a crucial value in the team’s performance, there is usually a general consensus that the quarterback is the most important player. However, contrary to what you might think, the role of the backup quarterback is most likely the second most important.
21 of 32 teams used their backup QBs
The 2025 Regular Season of the National Football League (NFL) suffered a wide number of injuries for several starting players on their respective teams. Prior to the start of Week 18, 6 teams find their starting quarterbacks injured.
Nevertheless, 21 of the 32 NFL franchises had to make effective use of their backup quarterbacks throughout this campaign. Some of them with the hope of being able to rescue their season and be able to access the Playoffs. While other teams simply used them in carrying plays or to rest their starters.
As a point of reference, during the first 2 weeks, Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy y J.J. McCarthy They suffered injuries that kept them away from the field for several weeks. The same ones that caused substitutes like Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota, Mac Jones and Carson Wentz to be active.
Keep the team afloat
The 2025 Regular Season has also been a reflection of how backup quarterbacks have managed to keep their teams afloat. As were the cases of Mac Jones, Tyler Huntley y Davis Millswho pushed their teams to stay in the fight for the Postseason.
On the other hand, despite not having qualified for the Playoffs, some quarterbacks managed to shine to be able to get an opportunity in 2026. Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Marcus Mariota, Kirk Cousins and Jacoby Brissett were a reflection of this.
The backup quarterbacks who appeared in 2025
Below are the backup quarterbacks who had effective activity during the 2025 Regular Season. Updated until before the start of Week 18, per which also includes the quarterbacks who aim to be active on the last date.
Miami Dolphins: Quinn Ewers in Week 7 and became the starter starting in Week 16. Zach Wilson in Weeks 1 and 8.
New York Jets: Tyrod Taylor in Weeks 2, 3, 7 and became the starter in Week 12. Brady Cook from Weeks 14-18.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mason Rudolph from Weeks 11 to 12.
Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Huntley in Weeks 6, 8, 16 and 17. Cooper Rush in Weeks 4-6.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Flacco from Weeks 6 to 12. Jake Browning from Weeks 2 to 5 and 12.
Cleveland Browns: Dillon Gabriel in Weeks 2, 4-11 and 13. Shedur Sanders in Week 11 and became a starter in Week 12.
Houston Texans: Davis Mills in Weeks 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Indianapolis Colts: Phillip Rivers from Weeks 14 to 18. Anthony Richardson in Week 5. Riley Leonard in Weeks 8, 14, 16 and 17.
Kansas City Chiefs: Gardner Minshew and Chris Oladokun from Weeks 15 to 18.
Las Vegas Raiders: Kenny Pickett in Weeks 7, 10, 14, 15 and 17.
Los Angeles Chargers: Trey Lance in Weeks 5, 11 and 13.
Washington Commanders: Marcus Mariota in Weeks 3-4, 7-8 and 10-16. Josh Johnson in Weeks 16 to 18.
New York Giants: Jaxson Dart from Weeks 4 to 18, taking into account that he became the starter. Jameis Winston in Weeks 11 and 12. Russell Wilson in Week 10.
Green Bay Packers: Malik Willis and Clayton Tune from Weeks 16 to 18.
Minnesota Vikings: Carson Wentz from Weeks 3 to 8. Max Brosmer in Weeks 8, 13, 16 and 17.
Carolina Panthers: Andy Dalton in Weeks 4, 7 and 8.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Teddy Bridgewater in Week 12.
Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins in Weeks 3, 8 and 11-18.
New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough in Week 3, 8 and became the starter starting in Week 9.
San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones in Weeks 2-3 and 5-10.
Arizona Cardinals: Jacoby Brissett from Weeks 6 to 18.
*Cowboys, Rams, Bills, Lions, Jaguars, Broncos, Patriots, Seahawks, Eagles and Bears used their backup quarterbacks for carries or to rest their starters. Titans did not use their substitutes.
